Herefordshire Pub News

Red Lion Reprieved

The Red Lion at Kilpeck appeal against rejection of planning application has itself been rejected, and it has now been sold as a pub. See full story. [Mar 2008]

Bull's Head Reopens!

Recently included in the CAMRA National Inventory of Pub Interiors, the Bull's Head at Craswall is expected reopen on June 5th. Initially it is offering real ales (Wye Valley and Hobsons) and cider, with food expected in later.

New Life for Live & Let Live!

The long wait for the return of the celebrated pub on Bringsty Common is over. See full story. [Nov 2007]

Camp awaiting new owner

Four years after being rescued, the Ancient Camp at Ruckhall is closed again, but another planning application for conversion was refused. It is on the market as a pub. See full story. [Mar 2008]

Newsflash - Vine at Tudorville, Ross-on-Wye: Following refusal of Planning Permission for conversion to private dwelling, the pub is now trading under new ownership. [May 2008]

Pub of the Year 2007

Having been a very close third in 2006, The Chequers in Etnam Street, Leominster, has taken the top title. Since new owners Glynn & Kate Hopkin took over at The Chequers Inn back in autumn 2005 they have worked quietly and diligently to transform what seemed like an ordinary town pub into a quite exceptional drinking establishment. The pub has a wonderful timeless and cosy feel to its front bar - with window alcoves and an eye-catching and inviting off-set fireplace. The back bar has been refurbished to a very high standard too, and a very pleasant outside drinking patio has also been created.

The most recent addition is the two storey restaurant created in outbuildings at the rear. This has added a whole new dimension to the pub by bringing country pub style eating into the town. It is perhaps no surprise that Glynn & Kate previously ran the award-winning Nag's Head in Malvern, reflected in their enthusiastic commitment to selling interesting and imaginative real ales from near and far.

The Chequers is just a few minutes walk from Leominster railway station, served all day by hourly trains to and from Hereford.

Back in the early 1980's the Green Dragon at Bishops Frome offered an amazing selection of real beers but was surrounded by the mediocrity of Whitbread, Whitbread or Whitbread - and then it declined. But now the pub is restored as a real ale venue, just like it was back in the early 1980s and it has been voted runner-up and Herefordshire CAMRA Country Pub of the Year for 2006 and 2007. Since new owners Simon & Alison Durrant took charge of the 16th century village Inn back in 2005 the transformation has been stunning. With its unspoiled warren of small discrete rooms, each with its own real fire and the centrepiece of a grand inglenook fireplace, this pub now has the quality ales it deserves - and people have been returning to it in their droves.

Since first winning this accolade, Simon & Alison Durrant have not rested on their laurels, but have continued build on their success. Typical of their enterprising approach was their participation in the Borderlines Film festival, which saw the scheduled showing of A Pocketful of Hops extended to five showings, all to packed houses. This locally made film was augmented by fascinating archive material from around the county. More recently they brought in a cooper from Theakstons Brewery to entertain and inform the locals with a demonstration of his skills.

During 2007 Simon and Alison have turned their attention to the outdoor areas and are landscaping the garden and patio as well as providing an outdoor smoking area.